Juvenile case

The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the termination of a mother and father's parental rights based on sufficient evidence.
The appellate court also found the mother couldn't appeal on the basis that the Department of Child Services failed to
prove her drug use when she repeatedly refused to submit to drug testing.

In addressing a statutory inconsistency on parental rights terminations, the Indiana Court of Appeals has held that trial
judges must offer findings of fact in those types of cases just as they're required to by law for children in need of
services cases and grandparent visitation matters.

A finding that a child is in need of services only establishes the status of the child and means the child is a CHINS even
if one parent isn't involved in the reasons for the determination, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled today

The Indiana Court of Appeals split today in its decision to reverse the termination of a mother's parental rights. The
majority found the trial court abused its discretion in allowing the mother's trial counsel to withdraw her appearance
under a local court rule.

A trial court didn't abuse its discretion in admitting evidence that a juvenile possessed marijuana because the seizure
of the drug didn't violate the teen's constitutional rights, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled.

In a modification of physical custody case, the Indiana Court of Appeals remanded for further proceedings because the trial
court was required to hear evidence on and consider all of the factors listed in Indiana Code Section 31-17-2.2-1(b).

The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the placement of a juvenile delinquent in an out-of-state shelter care facility over
the objection of the Indiana Department of Child Services, finding the trial court complied with statutes that allow it to
place the juvenile in a non-Indiana facility. A recent change to one of those statutes now shifts the burden of payment to
out-of-state facilities from DCS to the counties.

Even if the Indiana Court of Appeals concluded the trial court violated statute by failing to set a juvenile delinquency
hearing within the 60-day time limit, the appellate court doesn't believe the statute authorizes dismissal of the charges
as the defendant argues.

In a significant opinion about the funding of child welfare cases, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled today that any guardian
ad litem or Child Appointed Special Advocate fees associated with a child in need of services case must be paid by the county
and not the state agency that lawmakers gave more oversight power to in the past year.

In the first appeal of a juvenile case under Indiana Appellate Rule 14.1, the "rocket docket," the Indiana Supreme
Court ruled the juvenile court's determination that a child shouldn't be immediately reunited with his mother until
after the school year concluded - contrary to what the Department of Child Services recommended - wasn't clearly erroneous.

In an unusual case on appeal in which a mother's parental rights were terminated to only one of her five children during
a termination hearing, the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the decision due to the circumstances of the case.

The Indiana Supreme Court has clarified juvenile caselaw, telling trial courts they can order a juvenile be committed to the
Department of Correction and in the same order also require probation after release.

Debating in a footnote whether a juvenile's argument that his Fourth Amendment rights were violated was subject to a Terry
stop analysis, the Indiana Court of Appeals decided to apply the Terry analysis to his case.

The Indiana Supreme Court says that before any juvenile can be placed on the state's sex offender registry, a trial court
must first evaluate whether that minor has been rehabilitated to determine if there's clear and convincing evidence he
or she might re-offend.

The Indiana Court of Appeals reversed the termination of a mother's parental rights to her special needs son, finding
the decision would create a "sobering message" to parents of children who need ongoing assistance.

A trial court erred when it failed to follow Indiana Code in a termination of parental rights hearing, the Indiana Court of
Appeals ruled today. Because the appellate court found the error to be harmless, it affirmed the involuntary termination of
a father's parental rights.

The Indiana Court of Appeals today affirmed the involuntary termination of parental rights of a mother and father, but cautioned
the Marion County Department of Child Services to continue to follow the statutory procedures in child in need of services
cases and termination cases even if a court determines reunification efforts aren't required.